ReThink Respite began as a community project in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region led by Dr Lyn Phillipson at the University of Wollongong. Funding for this project was supported by the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation via a 2015 Resthaven Incorporated Dementia Research Award.
The project used a comprehensive social marketing approach to improve carers’ attitudes about respite. The project included:
- Development of the ReThink Respite website
- Face-to-face ‘ReThink Respite Coaching’ to support people living with dementia and their carers learn more about local respite services and strategies
- Presentations, information sessions and stalls at local carers groups and community events
- Workshops with local respite service providers focusing on ways to improve services.
In 2016/2017, the ReThink Respite project expanded to include a national website and online support program for carers of people with dementia called ReThink Respite Online. This phase of project activities was supported by an Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation grant.
The Rethink Respite Team
- Dr Lyn Phillipson
- Dr Liz Cridland
- Dr Keryn Johnson
- Dr Danika Hall
- Susan Jenkins
Other investigators include Dr Elaine Fielding from the Queensland University of Technology, and Associate Professor Christine Neville from the University of Queensland.